When told that he had won the shootout, a prize valued at $75,000, the richest in all of club racing Gallagher was almost speechless, " I don't quite know what to say, It is amazing to have this opportunity. A huge thanks to everyone who helped me get to this point, Mazda, my parents, Howard Concrete Pumping, JAY Motorsports, CTL Engineering, and HKC Support. There is a reason there are more Mazda's road raced on any given weekend than any other brand, they build the best cars in the world and I am honored to have the opportunity to be a part of their family."

Charles Espenlaub, who has participated in the selection process in all six previous competitions, commented on the deliberation process; "I am absolutely amazed with the incredible level of talent at the Mazda Club Racer Shootout. This competition this year was the closest ever. The judging process was extremely difficult and made for a virtual photo finish at the end. Congratulations to the competitors, a lot was learned, new friendships formed and the Mazda family gets a little bigger. Good luck to next year's Mazda Club Racing Champions, but a word of advice...You better bring your A-game to this competition, only the best will do!"

The criteria: Given that each of the finalists had proven themselves on the track by winning a championship, the criteria to move up needed to be more encompassing. To succeed on the professional level requires a balance of both on-track and off-track skills including the following:

Driving ability – fast laps

Driving ability – consistent laps

Technical feedback – Understanding of vehicle dynamics and suspension

Technical feedback – Ability to evaluate vehicle handling

Technical feedback – Ability to analyze data

Technical feedback – Ability to improve vehicle handling

The business of motorsports – Business proposal

The business of motorsports – Business presentation

The business of motorsports – PR / Social Media Skills

The driving sessions were conducted at Buttonwillow Raceway Park using a Mazda MX-5 Playboy Cup Car prepared by Tri-Point Motorsports.

The judges: Each year Mazda invites a panel of outside judges to make the selection. The judges brought a wealth of both on-track and off-track expertise. Over a dozen professionals were involved in the preliminary business proposal review, on-track activities, or both. The 2012 panel consisted of:

Jonathan Bomarito – Professional Mazda racer, SpeedSource

Charles Espenlaub – Professional Mazda racer, Dempsey Racing

Pete Evanow – College of Communications and Business, Cal State Fullerton

John Fabijanic – College of Engineering, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo

Eric Foss – Professional Racer, MAZDASPEED ladder alum

Karl Koenigstein – Michelin North America

John Morton – Sports car racing legend

Mo Murray – Just Marketing, Inc.

Lisa Natale – Marketing Consultant, Playboy

Dan Passe – Passe Consulting Inc.

Jason Penix – Director of Grassroots Initiatives, IndyCar

Jeremy Shaw – Team USA Scholarship

Scott Shelton – Director, ABC Full Circle, MAZDASPEED ladder alum

Steven Cole Smith – Freelance Journalist

The tally: After a full day of both driving, and classroom activities, the judges added the objective and subjective scores -- discussing the merits of each driver. The judges deliberated carefully before declaring Gallagher the 2012 champion.

The prize package: The total prize package is valued at over $75,000 and is the largest prize in club racing.

$50,000 for the running of his car for the season

$10,000 in parts support

A MAZDASPEED driving suit and helmet

Professional media training (Courtesy of MAZDASPEED)

BFGoodrich tires, one set per race (Courtesy of BFGoodrich Tires)

2013 entry fee waivers (Courtesy of SCCA Pro Racing)

About Mazda & MAZDASPEED

Mazda is the number-one brand for road-racers across North America. Thousands of Mazda powered grassroots racers compete in various classes with the SCCA and NASA highlighted by Spec Miata, the world's largest spec class with over 2,500 cars built. In 2006 Mazda established the MAZDASPEED Motorsports Development Ladder to assist racers in moving up through the ranks. In 2010 this was expanded to include the Mazda Road to Indy. Key to Mazda's success is strategic partnerships with the Skip Barber Racing School and Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca.

MAZDASPEED Motorsports is managed by Mazda North American Operations (MNAO). MNAO is headquartered in Irvine, Calif., and oversees the sales, marketing, parts and customer service support of Mazda vehicles in the United States and Mexico through nearly 700 dealers. Operations in Mexico are managed by Mazda Motor de Mexico in Mexico City.

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